Dr Victor Rosenfeld detected alpha waves in the vast majority of fibromyalgia patients while the patients were sleeping, but did not in those without fibromyalgia, reports Savannah Morning News.
“Even though people with fibromyalgia are technically asleep, their brain waves look more like they’re awake,” Rosenfeld said. “In essence, people with fibromyalgia are pulling an all-nighter every single night.”
Such a finding explains why most fibromyalgia patients often report feeling tired, fatigued, achy and unfocused, he said.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the cause of the brain damage that results in fibromyalgia. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can heal the brain damage and eliminate the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
The brain damage from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is best seen on MRI-DTI brain scans, a relatively new technology that was available only as a research tool until recently.
A recent study from Milan revealed reversal of these brain lesions by treating patients with CPAP for one year.
Bottom line: For those with Fibromyalgia, test for OSA and treat positives with CPAP.